The 2019 Volkswagen Arteon is a style statement with an added dose of practicality.
Pros Slippery shape Expansive cargo room Good pep Great warranty
Cons Questionable value Dismal fuel economy Light on driving flair So-so interior
Billed as the "spiritual successor" to the departed CC sedan, the 2019 Volkswagen Arteon arrives on our shores just in time to witness the demise of its species. We're exaggerating, but the buying public's love affair with the crossover shows no sign of abating anytime soon and we admire VW for staying the course with the Arteon, which is positioned as the brand's flagship vehicle in the States. It's Volkswagen's belief that the Arteon's sleek exterior, curated feature content, and German-built pedigree will appeal to traditional-sedan customers who desire a touch of exclusivity and luxury without drawing too much attention to themselves.
All-new vehicle for 2019.Launches the first Arteon generation.
Pros Sleek design Extensive available technology and luxury features Powerful standard motor
Cons High starting price
The 2019 Mazda 6 is a breakout among mid-sizers that can lack flair and fun.
Pros Beautiful exterior Fun to drive Sharp handling Standard active safety features Impressive turbo-4
Cons Rivals are more comfortable and quiet Base cars skip smartphone software Can be expensive in top trims
The Mazda 6 receives a variety of updates for 2018. The most significant is the revised interior, which is quieter and features a new dashboard design and higher-quality cabin materials. An available turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder joins the lineup, while the base 2.5-liter engine now has cylinder deactivation technology to improve fuel economy.
PROS Suave interior and exterior design Class-competitive fuel economy from turbo engine Entertaining handling
CONS All-wheel drive is not available No hybrid model
The 2019 Mazda 6 comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 6-speed shiftable automatic.The six-speed manual transmission is no longer available.Sport trim gets Mazda's i-Activsense safety suite as standard equipment.G-Vectoring Control Plus is now standard.
Pros Suave interior and exterior design Comfortable and supportive front seats Entertaining handling
Cons Ride quality isn't as comfortable as with other sedans
For the third time in five model years, the Mazda 6 receives a makeover for 2018. Its most obvious updates include subtly evolved exterior styling, a refreshed interior, and an additional engine option. The 6's new turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder—which slots above the standard non-turbo 2.5-liter four—adopts cylinder deactivation and adds slightly more horsepower and torque. While these changes are significant, Mazda took things a step further by retuning the chassis and drastically reducing interior noise levels. The lineup also welcomes a new Grand Touring Reserve trim and a top-of-the-line Signature model. The latter has rich leather, real wood trim, and a long list of desirable standard features. The Mazda 6 will also finally add a diesel engine and all-wheel drive to its roster before the end of the year. While complete details haven't been released, we're confident the diesel-powered version will feature the same 2.2-liter four-cylinder found on the Mazda CX-5, which makes 168 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque. Likewise, we expect the new engine will only be available on the top-of-the-line Signature model.
